Shopping For Replacement Windows

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WITH PETER G. MILLER

A Gift, a Loan: How Can I Best Help My In-Laws Qualify for a Mortgage? Q: My in-laws need to refinance. However, before they can get a new loan the lender is requiring that they pay off $5,000 in consumer debts. That’s where we come in – they want the money from us. Can we give it to them? A: The first question you need to ask is whether you can afford to give $5,000 without harming your financial position. If the answer is yes, then you should have several thoughts. First, consider yourself lucky that you have the money and can help. Many households are not so fortunate. Second, ask if the money is to be a gift or a loan. If it is to be a gift, then you should not have any expectation of repayment or interest. If it happens your in-laws ultimately repay the money, that’s great, but not required. Third, if the money is to be a loan, then it must be disclosed to the lender and proper paperwork should be written. Q: Is it true that you are penalized if you purchase a house and then sell it before two years have passed? A: You may be referring to the federal capital gains requirement: Essentially, if a couple has lived in a home for two of the past five years and then sell, as much as $500,000 in profits ($250,000 for a single person) can be sheltered from capital gains taxes. However, this is a relative matter. It’s best to avoid taxes if possible, but if you have a big profit and must pay taxes, that’s a far better situation than having a loss. For specifics, please talk to a tax professional.

Replacement Windows:

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BY CHARLES SCUTT Content That Works

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t’s easy to take windows for granted.After all, we look through them every day without really looking at them. But chances are those old windows, especially if they’re the double-hung wood frame type common in homes built decades ago, could be costing you a lot more than the time it takes to scrape, clean and repaint them every few years. Today’s replacement windows are typically better designed and manufactured than those made years ago, and are available with more aesthetic and insulating options. New windows can add to your home’s appearance, giving it a fresh charm and practical beauty that can increase its resale value. Replacement windows made from the best materials can reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 15 percent according to the Silver Springs, Md.-based National Fenestration Rating Council, a nonprofit organization that monitors window energy ratings.The savings you reap mean your new windows may essentially pay for themselves over time. “This year, the high cost of heating and the dramatically fluctuating weather conditions have caused many homeowners to assess the energy efficiency in their home,” says Bob Maceda, president and chief executive officer of Stanek Windows, Cleveland, Ohio.“Most people replace their windows because they want to save energy and money year round while adding to the comfort and beauty of their homes.” But purchasing replacement windows is a costly and, thanks to the range of options, complex proposition.A basic frame window, installed, starts at about $250 and can climb rapidly depending on the materials and manufacturer. Custom cut windows, large bay, bow or picture windows, and any window that requires special installation care will cost you more. Plan to spend time researching the best possible option that suits your home, climate and pocketbook.

Double duty: the best replacement windows deliver aesthetic benefits and tough energy efficient features. Here, contemporary kitchen casement windows enhance the view over a kitchen sink. When choosing a window, give thought to the look, style and function you desire.You may prefer a traditional double-hung window that lifts up and down, a slider-type window with two or three windows (one or two of which can slide open left or right) or a casement window that can be “cranked” open or closed with an inside handle.

Decide on the best frame material for your needs.There are three main types: vinyl, wood and aluminum, with many hybrid designs constructed from two more materials.The frame material you choose will govern physical characteristics of the window,

See WINDOWS, Page 2

Q: We just bought an existing home. The home inspector detected many hairline cracks in the foundation but said they were normal for a home of this age. We have now found that one section of the foundation was one to two inches higher than the rest of the foundation. We think two large trees are the cause. Our inspector did not detect the presence of the foundation and slab issues. Although he could not pull up the carpet to examine the slab directly, one of the windows would not close, the window frame was not rectangular, the front See ASK OUR BROKER, Page 2

Seal Leaks to Cut Heating Costs This Winter BY PAUL ROGERS

Content That Works Sure, converting to solar heat could save you a furnace full of cash over the long haul and help protect the environment, to boot. But before you take such a major step to alternate energy you should, as the saying goes, make sure your own house is in order. Whether you use solar, gas or

other means to heat, if your home isn’t properly sealed you might as well be burning bills in an old oil drum.And as energy prices continue to climb, this fall is the perfect time to tighten your building “envelope.” The building envelope is roughly defined as the barrier to outside air formed by the roof, walls, windows, doors and foundation.When people generally think of improving a building’s

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envelope, insulation is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But as the Ames, Iowabased Iowa Energy Center says, “If you don’t tighten up your home first, money spent on insulation may be wasted.” The basic principle is simple: Plug any potential areas where warm air is leaking to the outside.The first step to plugging those leaks is finding them.To locate tears in your envelope,

start by shutting all windows and doors and turning on all fans that blow air outside, including the stove exhaust, the clothes dryer, bathroom fans and any tightly mounted window fans. Light an incense stick and pass it around all areas where air leaks are most common. Ceilings, walls and floors account for nearly one-third of all air leaks in a

See LEAKS, Page 2

Photo courtesy Simonton Windows

A room with a view: choosing the best window calls for evaluating the room, the house, even the region and climate where the house is located. Homeowners should plan to research their options and suppliers closely.

WINDOWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 such as frame thickness, weight and durability. Since the sash and frame represent 10 to 30 percent of the window’s surface, their properties also will greatly influence the window’s performance. After frame material, consider the type of glass you want. Windows made today usually feature heavy double or triple panes roughly 7/8” thick that are tightly sealed at the seams. Various types of low-emittance glass, called Low-E, have reflective coatings that reduce the flow of heat. Different types of Low-E glass are suited to different climates. You also may want to choose a window with extra insulation, such as Argon or Krypton gas, between the layers of glazing, or specially designed edge spacers that reduce heat transfer at the edges of the unit, improving energy efficiency. Other factors that differentiate window quality include: • U-factor – measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a home. Low U value is another indication of energy efficiency. Especially important during the winter heating season. • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun, expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower the SHGC, the better a product is at blocking unwanted heat gain. Especially important in the summer cooling season. • Visible Transmittance – measures how much light comes through a product, expressed as

LEAKS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 typical home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors and windows each account for 10 percent or more of remaining air leaks. Mail chutes, electrical outlets and entry points for gas, cable and phone lines are additional problem areas. At each location, watch the smoke.The exhaust fans will draw air out of the house and prompt outside air to come in at leakage points.Wherever smoke is blown into a room, you’ve got an air leak.The bad news is that you’re likely to have quite a few; the good news is that they’re easy to fix. The main tools for plugging leaks are two common materials found in any hardware store: caulking and weather stripping. Each comes in numerous varieties and each has its own usage specifications. Read the labels to learn what each caulk adheres

a number between 0 and 1.The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted. • Air Leakage – measures how much outside air comes into a home or building through a product. AL rates typically fall in a range between 0.1 and 0.3. The lower the AL, the better a product is at keeping air out. AL is an optional rating and manufacturers can choose not to include it on their labels. •Condensation Resistance – measures how well a product resists the formation of condensation, expressed as a number between 1 and 100. The higher the CR, the better a product is able to resist condensation. CR is also an optional rating.

location. Bill Lazor, product manager for Simonton Windows, Parkersburg,W.Va., says it’s time to replace your old windows if they’re more than 20 years old or if you notice: • Condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows – an indication of seal failure. • Light seepage – shine a flashlight around the window’s perimeter and have someone stand outside to look for light coming through the cracks.This is another sign of seal failure. • It’s difficult to open and close your windows. • Rot, decay, warping, cracking, sticking and excessive wear.

There are two consumerfriendly guides to help consumers determine how well a window will perform, and reliably compare one model to another. The National Fenestration Rating Council sponsors a certification and labeling program for windows that meet certain standards.And look for the Energy Star Designation, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, which also reports on the energy efficiency of windows, skylights and doors. The Efficient Windows Collaborative Web site, www.efficientwindows.org, developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif., and the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research in Minneapolis, features an online window selection tool that enables homeowners to evaluate cost and return of different window constructions based on a home’s geographic

When shopping for replacement windows, it’s important to “research the reputation of the manufacturer, the product you’re purchasing and the comprehensiveness of the warranty offered,” says Lazor. “Shop around, ask a lot of questions and don’t base your decision on cost,” says Maceda. “Make sure the installer is trained and insured.” The Better Business Bureau recommends getting at least three quotes from different contractors or installation companies before plunking down your money.

to, whether it can be painted, its curing requirements and cleanup to see what best fits your application. Caulk is not a place to save a few dollars on price. Inexpensive caulks may last a few years, while the premium-priced can last 20 years or more. Caulk shouldn’t generally be used for any crack greater than 1/4-inch wide. Cans of aerosol spray foam are better for larger gaps. Similarly, all weather stripping (largely for use around doors and windows) is not created equal. Felt and foam tapes are not very durable but are inexpensive and easy to use.Tubular rubber and reinforced silicone cost more and can be difficult to install, but provide tight and durable seals. Devices to seal the bottoms of doors are just as numerous and varied in their cost, durability, effectiveness and ease of installation. (For a complete rundown on caulks and weather-stripping, click on the Home Series link at the Iowa Energy Center Web site at www.energy.iastate.edu.) Start any sealing project by

Ask our broker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

door was out of alignment, there were cracks in the stucco, there were patches in the dry wall, the roof line was raised in the area of root damage, the patio ceiling was raised and paint was chipping. If we had known about these issues we would not have purchased this house. Because of these problems we will sell, but since we need to fully disclose these problems to the next buyer we may not be able to sell the house at the right price. What can we do?

A: Were these problems visible and obvious at the time you bought? What about the walk-through inspection before closing? There are some questions to ask: First, review the seller disclosure statement.Was it accurate? Second, did the inspector note the door, roof and window problems? Third, did you have a buyer broker? If yes, did he or she recommend the inspector? Fourth, is there any possibility that the cracks and other problems became suddenly worse because of weather or some other factor? An attorney can help you look at these questions in greater detail. Q: We have been renting since we sold our house two years ago. We have been looking to purchase a better home with a larger lot. We have made many offers but for different reasons have been unable to buy. Unfortunately, with the way market is going we cannot afford to buy a home at this time. What can we do? A: It often happens that with price appreciation those who own real estate cannot afford to buy their own houses at today’s values. In your situation you lost the benefit of two years’ worth of local appreciation by selling. I suspect you can buy a home, although it may not be your first choice.To see what you can afford, a good first step would be to review your finances with a local loan officer. There is, however, a caution:You have been unable to buy in a rapidly rising market. But what happens if you buy and then home prices in your community stabilize or actually decline? Such things can happen – reason enough to buy a home that’s readily affordable in good times and won’t sink your finances if times get hard. © Content That Works

Do you have a question or a quandary about buying, selling or renting? Peter G. Miller, author of The Common-Sense Mortgage, specializes in providing real solutions to real estate dilemmas. E-mail your questions to [email protected].

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plugging holes in the attic and basement first, then look for smaller leaks around doors and windows and electrical outlets, say the experts. Ducts are the second biggest energy waster. But despite the ubiquity of duct tape (and its name), do not use duct tape to seal ducts. It quickly hardens, cracks and loses its seal. Instead, repair leaking joints with sheet metal screws and seal with latexbased mastic and either aluminum tape or a fiberglass mesh. Wrap the ducts with special duct insulation – do not use insulation left over from other jobs. Strategies for sealing are numerous, but whatever precautions you take to improve the integrity of your home’s envelope, always be sure to maintain proper ventilation, advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).You don’t want to seal in bad air, whether it comes from smoking, asbestos, radon, or hobby activities that might include sanding, welding or soldering.You do not want to trap stale air or moisture, which can

damage your home in the winter. Warm air entering the walls from the house cools and condenses its water vapor inside building cavities. That means attics must be properly ventilated and treated with a vapor diffusion retarder or vapor barrier to reduce the rate at which water vapor can move through a material. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans also help by removing contaminants directly from a room and increasing the ventilation rate. (The EPA offers a booklet on indoor air quality at www.epa.gov/iaq.) A close review and upgrade of your home’s building envelope can reduce heating costs by up to 50 percent, according to research from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Snowmass, Colo. Plus, there are the added advantages of blocking outside noise, protecting a home’s structure from weather damage and increasing indoor air quality. Short of blowing in new insulation or replacing windows with more energy efficient models,

sealing generally costs $100-$400 if you do it yourself, says RMI. Assuming a conservative 33 percent savings on the average U.S. heating and cooling bill of $680 bill, and the effort pays for itself in one to two years – and keeps paying dividends, not only for your pocketbook, but when it comes time to sell.When prospective buyers ask about energy bills, you can safely say your envelope is well sealed. © Content That Works